Work Type: Fixed-term - Full-time
Salary: $116,413 - $140,849
Grade: VPS 5
Occupation: Projects
Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs
Reference: VG/DE/VSBA/1941742
About the Department
The role of the Department of Education is to support Victorians to build prosperous, socially engaged, happy and healthy lives. It does this by supporting lifelong learning and healthy development, strengthening families and helping to equip people with the skills and knowledge for a 21st century economy and society.
About the Victorian School Building Authority
The Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) is part of the Department of Education. Established in 2016, it oversees Victoria's largest school building program since the state introduced free public education in the 1870s.
The VSBA upgrades and expands existing schools and plans, designs and builds new schools to meet enrolment demand. We also support schools to maintain their buildings and grounds by offering expert advice and coordinating maintenance programs and grants.
With Victoria recently introducing two years of funded kindergarten, the VSBA is also working with the early childhood sector on a massive kindergarten construction program.
About the Division
The Asset Strategy and Budget Division is responsible for the VSBA's operating framework, investment strategy, policy setting, asset information management, budget strategy and coordination, along with the delivery of specific school strategies, costings, allocate resources for growth, maintenance, and projects through school application- based programs. The Division also plans and co-ordinates delivery of new early childhood facilities and support for the wider early childhood sector to build, improve and upgrade infrastructure through a number of grants programs, including programs which provide funding to make kindergartens for inclusive for children of all abilities.
Asset Strategy Branch
The Asset Strategy Branch sits within the Asset Strategy and Budget in the VSBA. The Asset Strategy Branch is responsible for asset strategy for schools and early childhood and maintaining key operating frameworks, monitoring system performance through our strategic documents, driving investment strategy, policy setting, asset information management, budget strategy and coordination.
The Branch carries out activities such as developing business cases for the State Budget, developing and reviewing policies for school and early childhood learning asset management, and developing strategies to improve asset management practice and asset performance.
Strategy & Investment Unit
The Strategy and Investment Unit plays a central role in shaping the future of asset management across the education portfolio. We design and lead frameworks and strategies that strengthen and continuously improve the Asset Management System (AMS), ensuring it delivers long-term value and impact.
At the core of this work is stewardship of the 2025–2034 Schools Strategic Asset Management Plan, including leadership of governance forums, performance monitoring, and the tracking of key actions and KPIs to drive system excellence. The Unit also leads high-impact strategic initiatives to evolve policy settings and position the portfolio for future growth.
Beyond system oversight, we proactively identify opportunities to address gaps, unlock value, and expand the Victorian school asset portfolio to meet emerging needs. As trusted stewards of the AMS, the Strategy and Investment Unit drives performance, champions continuous improvement, and sets the strategic direction for a modern, responsive asset system.
The Strategy and Investment Unit (SIU) is seeking a VPS5 Senior Strategy Advisor to play a pivotal role in advancing the Victorian education asset portfolio. This is an opportunity for a high-performing strategy professional to lead the design and delivery of strategic initiatives that strengthen the Asset Manag ement System (AMS) and support the future growth of education infrastructure across Victoria.
The Senior Strategy Advisor leads strategic advice provision, project management, stakeholder engagement, and progress reporting to drive strategic initiatives aligned with departmental objectives. The incumbent uses their stakeholder management and problem-solving skills to critically evaluate problems from multiple perspectives and deliver effective solutions.
About the role
This is a fixed term position until 30 June 2028.
The Senior Strategy Advisor will be highly motivated, ideally with government, strategy and/or asset management system experience. The role will support the Strategy and Investment Unit developing frameworks and strategies to improve our asset management, identifying and implementing good asset management practices and advising other teams about best practice.
Reporting to the Manager of the unit, you will work to support the team's workplan involving multiple projects and strategies to develop, some requiring collaboration with the SIU team and others being led independently.
The role will have the opportunity to work on a project with significant impact across the Department of Education by coordinating the 2028-37 Asset Strategy and leading on some key actions as part of the School Strategic Asset Management Plan. These pieces of work will require research and analysis, extensive consultation across the Department of Education and the VSBA, leading meetings and workshops, and writing briefs to senior executives. The outcome of this work will be a refresh of the Strategic Asset Management Plans for schools, early childhood, corporate and ICT assets, leaving a long-term impact on the direction of the Department.
Key responsibilities of this role include
Attributes
Qualifications and experience
Flexible work expectations
This role has hybrid working arrangements. For full-time employees, the department expects 3 days per week in the office, in line with the VPS Agreement 2024. This role follows those same operational requirements: 3 in-office days, 2 remote (if full-time).
How to apply
Your application will need to include a Current Resume and a Cover Letter (max 2 pages) which addresses the key selection criteria. This can be found in the Position Description.
Further information
For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application.
The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page
Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.
Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au.
For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Jack Morrison – Manager, Strategy and Investment Unit [email protected]
Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.